Laos Kicks Off Green Bus Trials to Boost Public Transport in Four Provinces

Several provinces in Laos have commenced trials of new public “green bus” transportation services aimed at enhancing local infrastructure and reducing traffic congestion.

The buses are part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Lao government and South Korea’s Booyoung Lao Company Limited, signed in June 2023 to provide 600 buses aimed at enhancing public transportation across Laos. 

Attapeu Province

The latest initiative involves launching green bus trials to improve public transportation in urban areas and local districts in Attapeu Province. The Provincial Department of Public Works and Transport signed an agreement with Khamkai Transportation Service Company on 27 June to start trial runs of 10 green buses.

The public bus service runs from the Samukkhixay district bus station to the International Border Crossing, with the first bus departing at 8:30 am and the second at 9:30 am. Return trips depart at 1:00 pm.

Other routes include service from Samukkhixay district bus station to Sivilay village, Phousafong temple, Sakhae temple, Lathsati village, Tadseng village, and urban areas of Sanxay district. The first bus departs at 8:30 am and returns at 9:30 am, with the second bus departing and returning at 1:00 pm. From Samukhixay district to Sanamxay district, two buses depart from each station at 9:00 am, with return trips at 1:00 pm.

Champasack Province

Champasack Province also introduced green bus services on 17 June to offer affordable transport options. Sixteen routes connect Pakse district urban areas with surrounding villages, providing comprehensive coverage throughout the day and improving accessibility within the province.

In Pakse district, three routes run from Km 7 North transport station to Km 8 South station, Salakham Port to Daohueang Market, and Daohueang Market to Km 8 South. All three routes start at 6:30 am, operating every two hours, with fares ranging from LAK 5,000 to LAK 20,000.

The public bus service also includes 16 additional routes connecting Pakse with nearby districts and villages. These routes run from Daohueang Market to Km 14 Market, Viengxay School, Ngouadeang village, Khampeng village in Sanasomboun District, Batiengchaleunsouk district, Paksong district, Phonthong village and district, Vang Tao Border Cross Checkpoint, Vat Phou, Soukhoumma district, Pathouphone district, Mounlapamok district, and Khong district. Most routes start at 6:00 am, with fares ranging from LAK 15,000 to LAK 110,000.

Xaysomboun Province

In central Lao’s Xaysomboun Province, the Provincial Department of Public Works and Transport initiated a trial of 20 buses for public transport services on 14 May. Initially scheduled to run on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the buses cover various urban areas free of charge, including Aom, Ao, Nammo, and Namyone villages.

Bolikhamxay Province

Additionally, Bolikhamxay Province also allocated a total of 20 new buses across various routes to cater to educational and community needs. Thirteen buses were distributed on key routes such as Paksan-Vientiane Capital, Paksan-Lak 20, and Paksan-Viengthong district, among others.

Meanwhile, four buses were allocated to the Department of Education and Sports for Bolikhamxay Technical-Vocational School. These buses are designated for student transportation, including trial services for student internships, study tours, and other educational activities, as well as for teachers and athletes during sports competitions. Additionally, the remaining three buses are reserved by the Provincial Department of Public Works and Transport for a one-year trial period.

As many provinces launch trail public bus services, the Lao government marks these initiatives as significant steps toward improving public transport infrastructure in Laos, aiming to provide more convenient and sustainable transportation options for residents and visitors alike.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/07/01/laos-kicks-off-green-bus-trials-to-boost-public-transport-in-four-provinces/

Laos Extends Visa Exemptions to Boost Visit Laos Year 2024

ARTICLE UPDATED ON 27 JUNE, 2024 AT 4:04 PM

To bolster tourism in the second half of Visit Laos Year 2024, the Lao government is set to introduce a new policy granting free visas to Chinese visitors, announced Deputy Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Darany Phommavongsa, on 24 June.

This policy specifically targets Chinese travelers who book their trips through accredited travel agencies. The government is also planning to offer multiple-entry visas and extend the duration of stays from 30 days to 60 days for visitors from other countries from across the world.

According to an official document released shortly after the announcement, further visa exemptions will soon be available for travelers holding passports from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, allowing a stay of up to 15 days. These exemptions can be obtained through travel agencies accredited by the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism.

However, travelers holding Taiwanese passports are still required to obtain a visa slip, which will be issued upon arrival and must be returned when they leave the country.

Additionally, the Lao government will offer multiple-entry visas and extend the duration of stays from 30 days to 60 days for visitors from Australia, New Zealand, The United States, Canada, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Citizens of these countries can then request multiple-entry Lao visas through their respective Lao embassies or consulates. If a visitor obtains their visa through a Lao immigration office or online, they will be granted only one-time access to the country for a duration of up to 60 days.

For travelers from Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Spain, and Greece, the visa requirement will be waived for the first visit for up to 15 days if they travel for tourism purposes.

Meanwhile, Thai visitors with a “Border Pass” or “Temporary Border Pass”, an identification document that is used in place of a passport or an ID as agreed between two countries, can now stay in Laos for up to ten days, an increase from the previous three days. Travelers from Vietnam holding similar identification documents are allowed to stay in Laos for up to 15 days.

Thai and Vietnamese visitors who enter Laos using a travel-accredited agency may travel to three neighboring provinces close to the province they first arrive in. However, they must exit the country through the same entry point.

This policy will be effective from 1 July until the end of this year.

Government Efforts to Boost Tourism During Visit Laos Year 2024

During an interview with ASEAN and Chinese media in Vientiane on 24 June, Darany emphasized that the government is currently enhancing road infrastructure in transit areas and improving access roads to popular attractions such as Vang Vieng in Vientiane Province, Kong in Champasack Province, and other areas across Laos.

As part of the plan, Darany also mentioned that the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism (MICT) is working closely with local authorities and the tourism sector along the railway. The goal is to upgrade current tourist sites to international standards, highlighting the significant role of the Laos-China railway in attracting visitors from China. This also involves installing directional signs both in Lao and foreign languages along transit routes to assist self-driving visitors arriving from the China border.

This initiative by the Lao government aims to increase the number of visitors from China to Laos, as Chinese tourists already rank among the top visitors to the country. In the first three months of this year, Laos welcomed over 242,000 Chinese tourists, making China the third largest source of foreign tourist arrivals after Thailand and Vietnam. Throughout 2023, Laos saw a total of more than 641,000 Chinese tourists visiting the country.

The plan follows a proposal by members of the Lao National Assembly during their 7th Ordinary Session on 10 June to introduce visa waivers for more countries. Saithong Xaiyaong, a member from Champasak Province, emphasized the economic advantages of these waivers and called for careful consideration of which countries and visitors would benefit the most.

Currently, Laos provides visa exemptions to nationals from 36 countries. The specifics of these exemptions depend on whether they hold diplomatic, service, or regular passports.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/06/25/laos-extends-visa-exemptions-to-boost-visit-laos-year-2024/

Laos, Vietnam to Launch Cross-Border QR Payment Service in August

Laos and Vietnam will launch a cross-border QR payment service to enhance tourism and economic exchanges between the two nations. The service is expected to commence in early August this year.

Bounluea Sinxayvoravong, the Governor of the Bank of Laos, revealed this plan during the 7th session of the National Assembly. 

The initiative, a cooperation between the Bank of Laos and the State Bank of Vietnam, seeks to streamline financial transactions for tourists visiting the two countries, as well as to facilitate businesses across borders.

Thousands of Vietnamese tourists travel to Laos annually. Earlier this year, Vietnam ranked second among the top foreign arrivals in Laos, with more than 263,000 visitors out of the over 1.1 million foreign tourists visiting Laos.

The QR code cross-border payment system is part of Laos’ broader plan to improve regional money transfers and payments with its neighboring countries, including Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

Recently, Laos launched a similar QR code payment system with Thailand, initially allowing Lao visitors and workers to make QR payments between Laos and Thailand through participating banks, while plans are in place for Thai tourists to utilize the service in Laos from July onwards, according to Bounluea.

The bank’s governor also mentioned that this payment system could positively impact the Lao economy. Particularly, if a high number of tourists uses it, a significant amount of foreign currency will flow directly to the Bank of Laos, helping to stabilize the exchange rate set by the central bank.

In August 2023, Laos and Cambodia also launched a cross-border payment system, enabling visitors to use their local currencies, Lao kip and Khmer riel, via QR codes while traveling.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/06/18/laos-vietnam-to-launch-cross-border-qr-payment-service-in-august/

Hungary Reopens Embassy in Laos After Three Decades

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó and Laos’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Saleumxay Kommasith, inaugurated the reopening of Hungary’s embassy in Vientiane on 14 June, marking a significant milestone in the long-standing diplomatic relations between the two nations.

In a ribbon-cutting event held at the Royal Square building, the newly reopened embassy marks Hungary’s renewed commitment to fostering closer political and economic ties with Laos. This establishment, located next to the Crowne Plaza Vientiane on Samsenthai Road, positions Hungary as the fourth European Union (EU) member country with an embassy in Laos after Germany, France, and Luxembourg.

Hungary previously operated an embassy in Laos from 1975 to 1991, until the fall of the Soviet Union.Three decades later, the two countries are reunited in Laos.

Speaking at the inauguration, Minister Szijjártó emphasized the importance of mutual respect and dialogue in overcoming the geographical distance between the two countries. He highlighted the shared histories of struggle for freedom, which underpin the strong bilateral relations.

Minister Szijjártó’s visit coincides with Laos’s chairmanship of ASEAN this year. He stressed the significance of engaging with Laos to enhance the relationship between the Southeast Asian bloc and Europe with Hungary set to assume the EU chairmanship on 1 July.

According to Szijjártó, Hungarian investments in Laos have grown substantially, totaling around USD 200 million in recent years. These investments mainly focus on agriculture, water management, and public administration development. Bilateral trade has also seen a fifty-fold increase this year, showcasing the success of their cooperation, the Hungarian minister stressed.

At the event, minister Saleumxay praised the visit, which he described as a milestone in enriching relations and cooperation. He expressed gratitude for Hungary’s support and reiterated the commitment to further extend reciprocal assistance through multilateral frameworks, including the United Nations, ASEAN-Hungary, and ASEAN-EU.

The Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement highlighting the reopening of the embassy as a symbol of the shared desire to strengthen the diplomatic relationship established over six decades ago.

A notable aspect of Hungary’s support to Laos has been in education. Over the years, approximately 300 Lao students have studied in Hungarian universities. Many graduates now hold significant positions in Laos’s public administration, particularly in the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/06/17/hungary-reopens-embassy-in-laos-after-three-decades/

Lao Government Discusses Tourist Visa Exemptions to Attract More Visitors

The Lao government should consider visa waivers for additional countries to attract more tourists, as proposed by Lao National Assembly (NA) members during the ongoing 7th Ordinary Session on 10 June.

The tourism industry has made a substantial contribution to the economy of Laos in recent years. As a result, Saithong Xaiyaong, a member of the National Assembly from Champasack Province, suggested that visa waivers could attract more tourists to Laos. He urged the Lao government to carefully evaluate which countries and visitors could benefit from such a policy.

He urged the government to streamline visa requirements and the visa process for visitors.

Meanwhile, Saithong also emphasized the need for Laos to upgrade its tourism infrastructure, enhance facilities at tourist sites, and implement higher standards at restaurants, hotels, and popular attractions. He noted that these improvements could create a positive impression on visitors and encourage them to revisit Laos.

Currently, Laos grants visa exemptions to citizens of 36 countries. However, the exemptions can vary depending on whether they hold diplomatic, service, or ordinary passports, as stated by the Department of Immigration of Laos.

These countries include Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Brazil, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Cuba, the Czech Republic, North Korea, Ecuador, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Myanmar, Norway, Peru, Pakistan, the Philippines, Poland, Singapore, South Korea, Russia, Serbia, Slovak, Switzerland, Thailand, Timor Leste, and Vietnam.

Last year, Laos moved up slightly to 93rd place on the Henley Passport Index, which ranks passports based on the number of countries their holders can access without a visa.

Tourism experts believe that expanding these visa waivers to more countries could significantly boost tourist arrivals in Laos. In the first three months of this year, Laos experienced a 36 percent increase in foreign tourist arrivals compared to the same period last year, with over 1.1 million visitors, according to the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism. The statistics, revealed by the Tourism Marketing Department of the ministry, highlight that the largest numbers of tourists came from Thailand, Vietnam, China, South Korea, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and Germany.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/06/14/lao-government-discusses-tourist-visa-exemptions-to-attract-more-visitors/

Luang Namtha Boosts Tourism with New Attraction Study

Luang Namtha Province is actively enhancing its tourist sites to attract both foreign and national tourists. The province is particularly popular in winter, drawing visitors to its ethnic villages and temples.

Recently, the provincial authorities, in collaboration with the Lao Private Import-Export Trade and Service Company, also signed an agreement to conduct a feasibility study to enhance natural and historical tourism in the province.

The agreement includes an 18-month study in Natuey village, Luang Namtha district, covering 149 hectares. The goal is to identify new potential tourist attractions in the area.

This year, as Visit Laos Year 2024 unfolds, the province has a variety of activities planned to welcome visitors. Highlights include Boat Racing in October across several districts, the Xieng Teung Stupa Festival in November, and the Luang Namtha Stupa Festival in December. Other festivities include exploring the Khmu Festival in Nalae district and the Akha Festival in Long district.

Visitors can enjoy popular activities such as trekking, kayaking, hiking, and camping. These activities offer diverse experiences, such as exploring the Nam Ha Biodiversity Conservation Area and encountering ethnic communities like the Akha, Tai Lue, and Yao in Sing district, as well as the Khmu, Akha, and Hmong villagers in Vieng Phoukha and Long districts.

Additionally, to further boost tourism in the province, authorities and a local business have plans to build a restaurant, resort, and guesthouse at the popular Tad Namdee waterfall, while also introducing adventure activities at the site.

The Tad Namdee waterfall is a key attraction in the province, drawing visitors interested in the traditional lifestyle of the local ethnic group, especially the Lanten people who maintain their customs, traditional dress, and handicrafts.

Located approximately 620 kilometers from Vientiane Capital, Luang Namtha is accessible by plane, the Laos-China Railway, and bus.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/06/12/luang-namtha-boosts-tourism-with-new-attraction-study/

Human Capital, Green Sustainability: Two Priorities for Laos’ Future Economic Model

Laos is currently facing challenges transitioning from commodity-driven growth to a more inclusive prosperity model, reveals a new report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

The report, titled “Multi-dimensional Country Review (MDCR) of Lao PDR,” was launched on 6 June in Vientiane Capital. It highlights the country’s development journey, noting sustained economic growth of over 7 percent annually from 2000 to 2019, driven by strong commodity exports and substantial external financing.

The report shows that foreign direct investment (FDI) increased in Laos from USD 187.4 million in 2006 to USD 1.69 billion in 2017. During this period, extreme poverty dropped from 25 percent to 7 percent, while household income, education, and healthcare also saw significant improvements.

However, Laos now faces challenges with its current development model, worsened by the impact of COVID-19, which has increased food and energy prices. Debt-financed investments, including public-private partnerships (PPPs), have fueled growth, but slow government revenue growth hinders the country’s ability to manage its growing debt and invest in human capital.

Moreover, economic growth and investment have been unevenly distributed, with certain sectors and state-owned enterprises (SOEs) dominating opportunities. Most of the workforce is still in informal sectors, and environmental issues including deforestation and air pollution continue.

To address these challenges, the report suggests a shift towards human capital development and green sustainability. This includes reducing the debt burden to create fiscal space, reforming the tax system to boost revenue, improving access to resources and infrastructure to attract sustainable investments, and increasing investment in education, healthcare, and social services.

Additionally, the report also emphasizes the need to enhance data collection and institutional capacity for green and climate finance, along with improving coordination among government agencies and development stakeholders.

As Laos navigates this critical juncture, the adoption of comprehensive reforms outlined in the MDCR could pave the way for a more resilient and sustainable future.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/06/06/human-capital-green-sustainability-two-priorities-for-laos-future-economic-model/

Thailand Interested in Building Sixth Friendship Bridge to Laos

Thailand has confirmed its intention to build a sixth friendship bridge connecting the country to Laos over the Mekong River. This bridge would link Ubon Ratchathani in northeastern Thailand with Salavanh Province in Laos.

In recent discussions between Thailand’s Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa and Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, the potential construction of this new bridge was a key topic, as reported by Lao state media.

During the dialogue, which occurred during Maris’s visit to Laos on 30 May, both foreign ministers agreed to uphold the existing agreements between their respective countries.

The concept of a bridge between Ubon Ratchathani and Salavanh was initially proposed during Thai-Lao Joint Commission talks in November 2021.

If approved, this bridge would mark the sixth crossing between Thailand and Laos, with the fifth one nearly completed. The Fifth Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge, connecting Bolikhamxay Province in Laos to Bueng Kan Province in Thailand across the Mekong River, has recently been reported as 69 percent complete and is anticipated to be fully finished by November this year.

Other Lao-Thai bridges include those between Vientiane Capital and Nong Khai, Savannakhet and Mukdahan, Khammouane and Nakhon Phanom, and Bokeo and Chiang Rai.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/06/06/thailand-interested-in-building-sixth-friendship-bridge-to-laos/

Bamboo Rockets Light Up Vientiane’s Skies in Annual Festival

Villages and communities across Vientiane Province came together to participate in the popular  Rocket Festival, also known as “Bun Bang Fai,” building large bamboo rockets adorned with bright colors and unique designs and launching them into the sky. The festival is celebrated yearly to call for rain for successful cultivation showing the event’s deep-rooted agricultural significance.

What is Bun Bang Fai?

Held in various parts of the country, the Rocket Festival is a lively event celebrated annually in the 6th month of the lunar calendar, typically falling between May and June each year. This aligns with the agricultural cycle and reflects the meaning of this festival as a plea for a prosperous harvest season.

Rocket Festival in Laos

Rockets are traditionally made from bamboo stuffed with gunpowder, however, the festival has evolved with the times, and today’s rockets incorporate materials such as glass or metal piping. Despite this shift in materials, the rockets maintain their diverse size range, from small handheld rockets to towering structures that demand several people to lift. 

But the festival’s connection to agriculture is not merely symbolic. The rockets are the villagers’ prayers for abundant rainfall, which is crucial for a successful harvest season. According to local belief, the louder and higher the rockets fly, the more likely the rain gods are to answer their prayers. This belief gives rise to friendly yet fierce competition among the villagers, each striving to create the rocket that will soar the highest and loudest.

The Celebration:

Before the festival, each village forms a committee to plan every detail, from inviting other villages to setting rules to drafting safety measures. The event also offers prizes for various contests, such as the most beautifully decorated rocket and the highest-flying rocket.

On the other hand, families and friends also gather before the festival to prepare for the event, crafting rockets of all shapes and sizes.

On the big day, the towns kick off a fierce competition as villages gather in open fields to launch their bamboo rockets. Judges score them based on height, decoration, and entertainment value. The entertainment category includes teams dressing up in wild costumes and performing all sorts of acts to entertain the crowds.

In addition to the rocket launches, the festival also features colorful parades, traditional performances, and other competitions, adding to the festive atmosphere. Additionally, during the celebrations, residents and visitors can enjoy various traditional foods.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/06/04/bamboo-rockets-light-up-vientianes-skies-in-annual-festival/

Laos, Singapore, Cambodia Unite to Facilitate Cross-Border Electricity Trade

Singapore, Cambodia, and Laos have formed a working group to push cross-border electricity trade, inching closer to the ASEAN Power Grid vision. 

On 3 June, the Ministries of Trade and Industry of Singapore, Energy and Mines of Laos, and Mines and Energy of Cambodia shook hands and kicked off the working group, setting up three main goals. 

The team will create a comprehensive framework to support the development of cross-border electricity trading projects within ASEAN, starting with collaboration between the three countries.

The group will also streamline regulatory processes and licensing procedures for generating, exporting, and importing electricity. This includes simplifying the application and permitting processes for subsea surveys and the installation of cross-border subsea power cables.

Finally, the members will explore ways to facilitate commercial agreements and promote the development of generation and transmission infrastructure, ensuring smooth cross-border electricity trading among the three nations.

The inaugural meeting of the working group was co-chaired by Singapore’s Second Minister for Trade and Industry Tan See Leng, Laos’ Vice-Minister for Energy and Mines Chansaveng Boungnong, and Cambodia’s Minister for Mines and Energy Keo Rottanak.

During the gathering, Vice-Minister Chansaveng highlighted the project’s importance for Laos, emphasizing its role in achieving the ASEAN Power Grid and leveraging the country’s green energy resources to meet regional clean energy goals. He expressed hope that the project would attract further investment in renewable energy in both Laos and the region.

Tan also expressed optimism about the collaboration, highlighting that the working group aims to create a framework for cross-border electricity trade and address subsea power cable issues in ASEAN. He further encouraged other regional partners to join the initiative.

Minister Rottanak from Cambodia echoed this enthusiasm, noting that their efforts to advance the ASEAN Power Grid and share clean energy efficiently set a strong example. He hoped the partnership would inspire other ASEAN nations to join in building a sustainable and interconnected energy network.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/06/04/laos-singapore-cambodia-unite-to-facilitate-cross-border-electricity-trade/